How Verification Works

1. A nonprofit records a gift from a business or person, or a giver logs a gift to a nonprofit on Onward.
2. The nonprofit confirms it. Until then it isn't counted as verified.
3. Once confirmed, it counts toward the giver's verified giving and their place in the nonprofit's supporter levels.

Gifts to organizations that aren't on Onward show as self-reported. They count as verified only after Onward reviews a receipt or the organization confirms them.

Onward welcomes registered charities, clubs, chapters, school and church groups, and community groups without a tax ID. Not every organization on Onward is a 501(c)(3).

When an organization gives its EIN (tax ID), Onward checks it against the IRS list of 501(c)(3) charities. Organizations that can't be matched that way, such as a chapter of a larger organization or a group without its own listing, are reviewed by Onward before they go live, but don't get the badge.

A Verified 501(c)(3) badge means the EIN is on the IRS list.

Onward is not a tax authority and does not give tax advice. Giving shown on Onward, including verified giving, is not a tax receipt and does not mean a gift is tax-deductible. Whether a gift is deductible depends on the organization and your situation: rely on the written acknowledgment from the nonprofit and on your tax advisor.

Givers choose what the public sees for each gift: their name and the amount, their name only, or nothing (anonymous). People can also hide dollar amounts across their whole profile.

When amounts are hidden, people see the supporter level or "Verified donor" instead. The nonprofit always sees the full gift, so it can send receipts and thank-yous.

Discover ranks businesses and professionals by verified giving, not ad spend. Supporter levels on a nonprofit's page are set by the nonprofit and filled only by confirmed giving.

Volunteer hours are self-reported by the people who log them and count right away. Nonprofits can dispute hours that don't look right.